The Scoop: Giroux to Run for Gov, RI Tea Party Talks Obamacare

Welcome to The Scoop, the 4 p.m. report on everything politics in Rhode Island – the inside daily report exclusively on GoLocalProv.com.

Giroux Announces His Gubernatorial Candidacy

GoLocal has learned that Todd Giroux, who ran as an Independent candidate for Governor in 2010, will run as a Democrat in 2014. Giroux also ran as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate seat held by Sheldon Whitehouse in 2012.

Giroux, who officially became the first Democrat candidate to file this afternoon, told GoLocal that the current field of gubernatorial candidates’ lack of concern for the folks on Main Street is a primary reason for announcing his candidacy.

“They’re all talk,” Giroux told GoLocal. “The current gubernatorial candidates are all about ‘business as usual’ and aren’t concerned about the worries of the average Rhode Islander.”

“Rhode Island is primed for the people of Main Street to create a new era—their very own day—and I’m the only candidate to recognize this,” added Giroux.

Major Concerns

According to Giroux, he is driven by the fact that politicians do not address the issues surrounding the average Rhode Islander—including fears about employment, food, foreclosure, and home heating.

Jobs/Economy

“I’ve always been concerned about these issues,” Giroux told GoLocal. “Despite the circumstance of the average resident, no one has proposed a plan to help them. No candidate running for Governor has even offered a job plan to get Rhode Islanders back to work.”

"The state needs a new financial model, which includes incorporating market-based incentives that will help drive the economy," Giroux told GoLocal, stressing the importance of promoting manufacturing projects to get people back to work.

Additionally, Giroux said Rhode Island needs to create a more business-friendly environment to attract new businesses.

Giroux also argued that he’s tired of political leaders continuously “studying” employment and economic problems. “There is no study needed; the facts are in the past,” he told GoLocal.

Foreclosure

Aside from employment, the issue of foreclosures also weighed heavily upon Giroux’s decision to run. “There are hardworking people out there that need to re-finance that aren’t getting the help they need," he told GoLocal. Specifically, Giroux would create low interest reserve pools, which would provide homeowners the means to begin re-financing.

According to Giroux, politicians are not adequately addressing the concerns of Rhode Island’s struggling homeowners, nor are they providing a voice for them. With this in mind, Giroux told GoLocal that he would "fill this gap and speak up on behalf of those who don’t currently have a political voice."

“We need leadership to implement policies that will better lives of people of Main Street,” added Giroux.

Background

Giroux runs his own contracting business in Bristol where he lives. Giroux graduated from La Salle Academy in Providence and later from the University of Rhode Island with a psychology degree.